Book Review (Rucksack): Other Minds

Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness

Written by Peter Godfrey-Smith in 2016

The Raccoon: Science philosopher and scuba diver Peter Godrey-Smith tackles the history of consciousness and what we can learn from cephalopod behavior.

UNMASKED: Other Minds hurts to read.  Such is the nature of any text or person drawing awareness to the complex machines underlying ourselves and the world around us.  During the week I spent working with Godfrey-Smith’s book, I had to process world-changing ideas several times.  I am sure my friends grew sick of the questions I frantically texted to them at random hours of the day (“If life is just chemical reactions that started with single cells, is living matter any different from nonliving matter?” “If you can make decisions without consciously being aware of them, can you have a human without a soul?” “Would we be better off with decentralized brains and more neurons in our arms like octopuses?”)

AND YES, my dear readers, “octopuses” is the correct plural choice (“octopodes” works as well, should you ever desire to piss off an English teacher).  I cannot thank the author enough for explaining the etymology of our many-armed friend and relieving me of my agony.

Despite the many revelations about consciousness and evolution, most of which inspired only helplessness and fear in me, Other Minds is an incredible book.  While we all have the right to be suspicious of anyone who combines “scientist” with any other profession or hobby in his title (science guitarist, scientist chef) Godfrey-Smith proves his expertise by interweaving layered, impactful research; reasoned, detailed philosophy; and clear, relevant underwater photographs.

Strengths:

• Nothing is superfluous; every study and personal tangent adds value to the book.
• Although the book is about “Other Minds,” most of the material ties into our lives and thoughts.

Weaknesses:

• The information is presented in large block paragraphs, making it easy to zone out and lose one’s place.

Rating: 19/20 aliens

Ideal Setting: Read this before your next visit to an aquarium, so that you are not caught off-guard if an octopus escapes its tank or a cuttlefish changes color in complete darkness.